Can straightener



Sept. 30, 1952 J. L. RICKHOFF ETAL CAN STRAIGHTENER Filed OCT.. l. 1948 4 Sheetfs-Sheet l JOHN L. RIC/(HOFF EDWARD A. RIC/(HOFF.

IN V EN TORS.

L E, www Rb@ E# MM@ Bl m RZ R EE MH .w UL U H w Sept. 30, 1952 J. L. RlcKHox-F Erm. 2,612,204

CAN STRAIGHTENER Filed OCT.. l, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WOR/PEL.

HERZ/G CALDWELL A TTORNEVS.

Sept. 30, 1952 J. RICKHOFF ETAL 2,612,204

' CAN STRAIGHTENER Filed oct. 1, 1948 4 sheets-sheet 5 f2? JOHN L. R/c/(HOFF a 5II faz EDWARD ,4. R/cKHoFF, fao gg 12H 7 INVENToRs. '9 as Q6 '9 HuENL-'RBEEHLER,WORREL, ,L M d HERZ/G a CALDWELL,

El l n 94 By ATTORNEYS. 99j 92 Umm Il 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. RlcKHFF ETAL CAN STRAIGHTENER JOHN L. RIC/(HOFF 8 EDWARD A. RICKHOFE INVENTORS HUEBNER, BEEHLE/P, WORPEL,

HERZ/6 8 CALDWELL,

A 7" ORNEVS. By Ummm B Sept. 30, 1952 Filed oct. 1. 1948 Patented Sept. 30, 1.19.5425

CAN STRAIGHTENER l John L. Rickhoii" and Edward A. Rickhoif,

` Corona, Calif.

Application October 1, 1948, Serial No. 52,208

12 claims. 1

The application relates to machines which -are expressly devoted to ironing out 'dents in cans. 1t has more particular reference-to a power-operated device which is capable of rolling out indentations and dents which accumulate in cans and particularly narrow-neck cans such as large milk cans.

In the handling oi milk in large quantities Where farmers having dairy herds have occasion to ship milk to some central collecting point there AI ironing out of the dents-and depressions can-be is considerable use forve, ten and fifteen gallon cans in which the milk is shipped. Inasmuch asvunder-many Ycircumstances milk is produced onfarms Where the milk must be handled by individualsv without the aid of machinery, can sizes of the capacity indicated are in mostv frequent use. vWhen the cans have been illedswith milk, they are loaded on a pick-up truck or other vehicle, transported over rough `roads and eventually deposited at some central'collecting point. After the milk has been emptied from the cans, the cans are returned by a similar route to the farmer. f Y n? In the ordinary course of handlingand particularly during the return of empty cans, the cans are jostled about in transit, dropped upon hard surfaces, dumped over in many. instances, and treated in general in such a way that over a period of time a great number of dents accumulate in the cans which impair their utility to a considerable extent. Cans and containers of this particular character are relatively high priced so that it becomes advantageous to straighten the cans and 'continue their use for as long as possible rather than to discard them for new cans. Inforder, however, to straighten worked gradually over thesurface so that not all 'of the dents need' to be ironedoutvatuthe same time thereby.l conserving an' appreciable` amountV of power.

Still further among the objects of trie-.inven-v tion is to provide a can straightener Iwherein a straightening head is adapted to be collapsed and lowered into a can andfwhich, upon reach-e ing the bottom of thecan, automaticallyexpands into engagement with the can .wallswhereupcn manual means becomes operative vto'mo'diiylthe degree of expansion. ci Also included amongy the objects istheizprovision 'of means for modifying the degree ofrexpansion to accommodate cans of diferentndiam-L eters and heights. 5

With'these and other objects in View, vthe-1n;

vention consists in the constructionj,arrangesv to show interior. structure.

the cans economically, the `operation must be a rapid one and capable of being performed as much as possible by machine. It is, therefore, among the objects of the'in-A vention to provide a new and improved can straightening machine which is rapid in its operation for setting up the can, for straightening out the dents and for release of the can once the straightening operation is completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved can straightening machine which is adapted to be eiectively operated without consumption of more than a vmoderate amount of power. f r

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved can'straightening machine which is adapted .to reach all portions- 5? chosen to illustrate the'ginvention--is Figure 4 isa fragmentary vertical. sectional View taken on the line ll-"A of Figure ;1.=;:

Figure 5 is a plan ,view taken on theline of Figure 4 with thecan removedav f i Figure 6 is alvertical sectional :view showing the straightening headv ,in collapsedj condition in'y a can., 1 a, 3; v f A. Figure '7 is a viewsimilar to Figure 6 showing the straightening rhead in expandedposition Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 8--8 of Figure '7. Y ,v j. Figure 9 is a cross-section lwviewgg taken onthe line 9-9 of Figure Figure 10 is an elevational viewpartly in sec? tion illustrating the construction ofonefthe straightening head. Y

Figure 11 is a vertical,sectional-view v riffilar y t0 Figure '7 showing the, device adapte` straightening of4 a canof slightly diff Figure 12 is a lamiss-sectional,viewlo y |z`|2 of Figure 11 withthe vsrraigt n removed. iv' f" vAs illustrated in the iiguresithfe the reception and straightening of a can ordinarily identied as a milk can. In use clamps on the machine are released and the can is set in position adjacent the clamps. By use of hydraulic cylinders the clamps are closed to hold the can in stationary position. Once in position other mechanical means are set in motion so that a straightening head or devicein'cluding straightening rollers lcanbe lowered through the neck of the can to the bottom of the can and there expanded so that the rollers roll around the surface of the walls whereby to pressthe dents outwardly. The clamp which holds thecan ln place forms in part a backi'ngor`l resistance against which the rollers are adapted to press." The straightening head is adaptedto progress from the bottom of the can upwardly"'toward the top. Upon completion of the straightening operation the straightening head can be collapsedand power means again placedin .operation toiliftthe straightening head from-the can. e'Eitherlduringvor following the above described straighteningapparatus a special device; illustrated in Figure 4, can be placedV in operation for; ironing out or'straightening the'rim of the bottom of, the-can. lThe last defined device can alsorbe-used as a meansl forl additionally locating .the canin placein the machine. Once the straightening v.operation is completed the clamps cangabes-released and the-can'` lifted from lits position inthe machine.

The framework of the machine consists of. a bedframe, or base. adapted .to be supported upon somezisolidsurface such as a. concrete platform inzwhichthere canbesunk a well for the support of a vertical column and withinl which may bepositioned a hydraulic ram. The column extends-fa substantialdistance above the bedv frame in order that. it may be capable of suspending the straightening headfabove a canof the largest size..ordinarily.v encountered and beV adapted to lower. Ythe-'headinto the can and lift it clear.

As shown in detail `in Figures 1. and 3, abed frameiln'is here shownascomprising front end postsiIiIand'reanendposts I2. vBeams `I3 Ycornprising angle irons connectthe: front. and rear endaposts;V andcross-beams I4 extend between the posts on opposite-sides. Avertical column Iziis' here.illustratedasflbeing constructed of angle irons in.spaced.face to` face relationship, the bottom portion of the column. being' securedlin a :base I6.v;At: the top of the, column is a cross-beam I1 and. a brace lifextends from the 'cross-bar downwardly to fan extension I9 extending. laterallyfrom'the bed frame adjacent the=topsoftheposts I I.

f I'IDhe' Icolurnn fis .designed to carryV ahead: stock 20 containing a motor and machinerywforthe operationof` a can straightening -head indicated generally-by the reference character 2 I When acanis to'be placed upon the machine a pair of clamps 22 and 23 -are opened by operationiof-v -a horizontal hydraulic- -ram indicated generally by the reference character 24. The raxfis ada-ptedby reciprocation of aV piston-25 tb sh-ift-theclamp 23 'back and forthlbetween a clamped and an unclamped position.

'Assi-llustrated in' AFigure 15; the 'hydraulic i ram 2 4Lisshownin a position connected' to longitudi- I'I'albe'amsorl rails 26and 21', the rails "being" attachedtothe topsofthe posts II and'l2. Within tl'i'emails,y here "shown in the form of angle irons,

are mounted slides 28 and 29 which are-adapted 4 the cross-head is designed to be secured to the clamp 23. The piston 25 is also secured to the center of the cross-head as illustrated in Figure 2. The other clamp 22 is stationarily mounted in position with relation to the rear ends of the rails 26 and 21.

In closed position wherein a can 3| is to be clamped'in place the clamps 22"an'd 23, once they have been pressedtogether vby operation of the hydraulic ram 24, are locked in place by lugs 32 on horizontal anges 33 which overlie corresponding portions of horizontal anges 34.

Vertical flanges 35 and 36 provide a seating surlface between the edges of the clamps.

- Power for operating the hydraulic ram is derived from an electric motor 40 which is adapted through a suitable mechanism to operate the the` ram 46 is a piston 41 attached to the-head stock and by reason of the long throw of. the ram 46 is adapted to lower and raise Lthe head stock 20 over a considerable distance. yAs has been previously noted, movement of the head stock shifts the position of the straightening head 2|. A

vAlthough not forming a partof the novel subject matter, attentionis directed to utilization of a master hydraulic control valvev 50 illustrated tothe left` of Figure 1 and mounted ,upon a rear portion 5I of the `bed frame, by manipulation of a control handle 52. hydraulic fluid from the pump 42 may be utilized to operate the hydraulic ram 24, and hydraulic fluid from a pump 53 may be` utilized to opera-te the hydraulic ram 46, in each instance through forward and -reverse operation. l

In normal position-the straightening head v2l hangs by gravity in collapsedv condition. The collapsed condition is best illustrated in Figures land 6. In collapsed condition the headis vnormally small enoughv to freely enter a relatively narrow neck 55 of the can 3|. Thehead issupported in the main by an external tubular shaft 56 andan internal shaft', usually solid, presented by thereference characteryl.- A key way-58 -s provided in the'shaft 51 so that it may be `keyed non-rotatably tothe shaftA 56.

As shown, the shaft 56 is suspended from'. the headstock 2l! but isl rotatably mountedthereon. There is provided a beveled gear 59 on the external shaft meshing with a 'beveled Ygear 66 'on a shaft 6I which -in turn has a gear box 62 attachediat the rear end. The pulley through arsystem of belts and intermediatepulleys 63' is adaptedv to bedriven by an electric vmotor 64- mounted upon a platform '65 carried by the" h'e'advstock-112|). Operation of the electric motor'causes rotation ofA theshaft E'c-whichv in turnV induces rotatio in the straightening head 2 I.

As shown, the' shaft 5l is'adaptedto slid'e'endwisewithinthe shaft 56. This'oper'ation is essential in order to effect `expansion andcollap'sefof the straightening head. 'I'oy accomplishthi's' endwise movement there is'attached a bl0ck"66`at the upper 'end ofthe vshaftv 5l.' andthe bl'o'ekii's provided with a rack 81.' Meshing' with the rack is a pinion 68 which in turn is driven by a chain 69 connected to a pinion 10 keyedto a shaft 1| upon which is a wheel 12 adapted to be manipulated by a handle 13.` By rotation of the Wheel 12 the rack 66 and attached shaft 51 may be raised and lowered with respect to the position of the shaft 56 regardless of the location of the head stock 20. In the present example the headV stock 20 includes inside shoes 15 adapted to slide vertically within the sections of the column l5 upon which the head stock and all the attached mechanism is carried.

As best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the straightening yhead 2| includes parts whichpermitA alternate expansion and retraction. As there illustrated, the head consists of a pair of'up'per parallel arms 80 on one side and a corresponding pair of parallel arms 8| on the opposite side. These parallel arms are Vpivotally secured by a pivot pin 82 to a bushing 83. The bushing in turn with the aid ofan auxiliary bushing 84 is attached non-rotatably to the tubular shaft 56 by use in part of a bolt 85. A key 83 serves to hold the bushing non-rotatably relative to the shaft 51.

Below the parallel arms 80 and 8| are two lower sets of parallel arms 86 and 81. The lower portions of the arms 86 and 81 are pivotally sef` cured by means of pivot pins 88 to a bushingf89 which is keyed by use of a key 89 with relation to the shaft 51 but which at the same time isv adapted to slide with relation to the same shaft 51. The parallel arms 86 in turn arepivotally secured by cross-heads 90 and appropriate bolts 9| to the parallel arms 80. 1 Where, as indicated, a clearance' is helpful in promoting a more complete collapse of the head, the cross-head may be recessed as shown. By similar means the parallel arms 81 are secured to the parallel arms 8 I. n

A third set of parallel arms 92 on one side and 93 on the other side are secured by pivot pins 94 `to a bushing 95 keyed to the bottom of the shaft 51 by use of a key 95. A shoe 96 may be fixed to the shaft 51 at the bottom of the bushing 95.

VOn one side the parallel arms 92 are pivotally connected by means of a cross-head 91 to a bolt or shaft 98 which in turn at its other end is secured to a cross-#head 99 recessed as shown. The cross-head 99 is pivotally attached to the upper ends of the arms 86. In a similar manner the parallel arms 93 are pivotally secured to a corresponding cross-head 91 on-the other side and hence through an appropriate similar shaft 98 to another corresponding cross-head 99. The shafts 98 form the core of vertical, substantially cylindrical composite rollers |00. l Y A On the hsafts98 are provided individual cylindrical roller elements |0|,- |0|' and |0|" of the same diameter which are separated by a roller |03 `of different diameter from individual rollers |04, |05, |06, |01 and |08. The individual roller elements, as illustrated in the present form' ofy the invention, include bearings |09 to improve their ease of operation. The roller elements are designed to rotate individually about the shafts so that if need be they may rotate at different speeds. 'Ihe shafts 98 form portions of the linkage for the lower part of the straightening head, in company with the sets of parallel arms 92, 93, 86 and 81. The lengths of the parallel arms and the shafts betweenpivot points are made such that there is provided a parallelogram structure whereby the particular alignment of the axes of the shafts l98 ismaintained y y Iuthe vupperpo'rtion of the straightening head are provided another set of composite rollersil 0,1 one Jon each side. These rollers are identical and comprise shafts mounted-atene e'ndfin the cross-head 90 and at the other end ina crossehead ||2 spanning the distance between the up`- per ends, respectively, of the parallel arms and 8|. Upon the shafts are individual roller elements ||3, ||4, ||5, ||6, ||1 and ||8 arranged" side by side and each adapted to be mountedupon; a suitable bearing I9. These roller elements= are provided with curved contours wherein-the curve of each successive element is in alignment with the curve on the adjacent side of the element next in position. Bythis arrangement the entire composite roller |0 presents a longitudinally curved surface.

stm another element |'2u of similar shape "is located on the shaft on the side of thecrossLA head opposite from the roller element |'8. ffIt.

should be noted that the curve of the exteriorof the element |20 is such that it lis tangentvfat the outermost portion of the circumference to the outer surface of the roller element |08. Theim' portance of this will appear as an' explanation of the operation of the head develops. -1'

For straightening the sides and curved top 'of the can 3| the can is first mounted and clamped' in the machine by means of the clamps 22 and 23v as previously described. For this operation'the hydraulic ram 24 is utilized.l During theclamp ing of the can in place the head stock 20 isatits uppermost position, in 'which'y positiongfthe" straightening head `2| hangs clear'of the topof' the can. In this position, also, the head is collapsed, a condition which it assumesv normally as a result of the influence of gravity upon the rollers. l

Next, by operation of the hydraulic ram 46 the entire head stock 20 is lowered whereby lthe straightening head 2| enters the can through the neck 55. The lowering of the head stock oo ntinues until the shoe 96 strikes the bottom of the can. During all of this time the head 'remains collapsed. At this point by continuing lowering the head stock 20 the tubular shaft .56 only is lowered, the shaft 51 remaining stationary by pressure of the bottom against theshoe 9,6.l Because of movement of the shaft 50 'relativev to the shaft 51 the sets of parallel arms are forced outwardly carrying with them the' rollers |00 comprising the roller elements on the shaftsj98 will be below the curved top of the can hereindesignated by the reference character |26. A

Once the Arollers on the shafts 98y come into contact with the cylindrical lower wall of the can,l the straightening head can be rotated 'andby rotation roll the circumferences of the rollers |0|, |0|', |0I", |04, |05, etc., against any dents which might be presentv in the can wall. Rota-f tion is usually deferred until the straightening headis lodged within the can so that there will be no centrifugal effect tending to expand"y the straightening head until it is in position in the can. Rotation'is accomplished vby operation of' the electric motor 64 which causes rotation fof the tubular shaft 56 through the shaft 6| and v while the straightening head is being rotated? the head is gradually raised "by mampulati'deggroller? -1|.|13.being: of .lesser diameter, will not rollr against dents of ordinary depth. .Moreoven by manipulation ofthe wheel.12 the straightening head.may be. completelycollapsed at any time even,ithdugli.` the head isv rotating f at a considerable;speed:A

straightening f head' continues to :be liftedzit .finally attainsfthe position illustrated in Figure 1. In'` this rposition.v the v.composite 1 rollers llrare `pressed into contact with the curved wall |26, and atfthispoint anyy dents in the-curved2 wall are .-ironed out. By reasonof .theAsizei-and contour-,ofthe roller |29, located` as vit is atl the junction ofy theupper curved "wall with.I the `lower cylindrical wall of the can 'at the uppermostposition of the straightening-head, all parts of the can' .-wall W-ill-be subjected to -av straightening operation. .-,The roller |29 in itspassage` along theftopmost part. of the cylindrical-wall'will iron out dents in that portion,y and;y inits luppermost' position v it I will be .f capable; 'of ironing out downwardly;v projecting dents- 'at the junction` of the curved upper wall with the lower cylindri-v cal wall.V Moreover, `by v4reason. of the factv that each separate roller rotates independently of-the others, the Yrollers may rotate on f their respective. shafts atl different speeds as diiferent dents are encountered without itbeing necessary to skid anyfappreciable surface portion of the rollers; over the can surface.

To limitthe extent of'expansionthereis.pro

vided. a. sleeve orY` collar |29. edupon. the .bushing"83"and'another sleeve orcollar .|32I onthe bushing 89. Both sleeves or collarshaveanges which abut to limit expansion ofthe straightening head-'at its outermost limit.

When the dentsin .the upper curved `por-tion oflthecan are finally ironed out, rotation -of the straightening, head .canrbe stopped by arresting motion .of the electric motor d-atwhichpoint tlie. straightennghead .will collapse, Awhich col-t lapse may.bel aided by operation. of..thewheel 1'2. Thestraighteni'ng headcanrthen belifted to withdrawn. position bycontinued lifting. of the headstock 2a. lf'Under such circumstances,` itis desirablefto restrict the eipansive movement of the straightn'ing head. '.This may beaccomplishedby the insertion ',ofyshims. I 30 between. the bushingsl 89 and 95. yAsui'table .number of shims of appropiatev thickness.. can beA gaged so as. to limit. theY amount' of expansion to one which will properly accommodate the diameter. of the'can." vStillfan-L otherisli'm orA block. |31 may beused .between th'e 'sleeve' or collar^|29`andthesleeve orcollar |32 'which normally. rides `aloovelthe bushing 89.'- A"B`eca' use the 'exterior diameter ofanfoffsize cani may be smaller... shims ori linersffl 2| and |21 may be"afXecLdrespectvely,.to clamps 22 and 23 Ears |22 on the-..liners extend.`- through af risate.,A apertures in'l the clamps andi are makes. in .posicionar vhoksfl 23 onf nandfo'perf atediflatch'es 12k-.extending through thesfupper.v flanges-'33 and' 34.

To further` improveth'e over-allopera'tion of.

the..r machine lthere is-lprovded'v a 1 means for' tofthefplate |31 so'that-th'eparts form a-singleassembly, the.A beveled 4gear being extended vln-the form.v of` a'shaft |40 of large-diameter meeting` afbearing |4|.. The bearing is secured upon a fixed plate |28.carried'by the-beams 1 3.'

Mounted upon the annular fwedgeelike. flange |38 @are slides 42- oppositely idisposed'and pitched downwardly toward the center. The. slides-in each-case. are conned by plates |43 and |44at the ends and plates' |45 and |46 atvthe sides. The'inner ends ofthe-slidesare joined by `links |41, and the :links inturn are pivotally secured bya pin |48toV a plunger |49. An opening y|50 in the: plateA |31permits mounting of thelinks, the plunger and the inner ends of the-slides. 1 vA thrustl bearing 5 .l supports the lower end ofthe plunger |49, the bearing being 'illustrated as mounted .-upon a lever 5| 52 which forms an-extensionf of -a treadle |53. 1 The lever |52 is. pivoted on-'a bracket 54,.and a spring |55. normally-urges the leverl 52in adirection depressing .the plunger. 49. f thereby drawing `the slides I 42. inwardly to what4 may-be termedA open position. .Onthev levefi` |52. is avertical rodl |56 bearing a1 detent |51 at the top designedto t in a slot |58 -on the plate |31. VAction' of. the spring |55 normally moves the detentto a locked position.'v A-slotted tubularguide V|59'`A assists. in holdingy .the-.detent inproper position.

One set: of'` frusto-conical rollers- |60 are mountedl rotatably on the outer4 ends of the Aslides |42.` 4.These accommodate-a can of the diameter illustrated in Figure 4f. A secondset- |6| ofsimilar rollers accommodate cans of smaller diameter.-.The sidesjof the rollers at the. point of contacta/.ith the rinside wall of the flangelor-rm I3 5 is vertical'.

After a can-has-been placed upon themounting with therim .or flange surrounding. the `rollers' |.69v the treadleg. |53 is depressed.-l This. in..turn elevatesthe plunger |49 spreading the'links |41 which extends the slides, |42 loutwardly... This hasthe Aeect ofy pressing r theV rollers I {iQ-against the inside walls ofthe flange |35.

. Atthe .same time and by-thesamemotion of the'llever |52 Vthe rod |56 `isdepressed` releasing the-detent; |51. fromv the sl'ot |58. Also at the samertime..anoth er rod |63 is elevated .and through a lever' I|i4fbperatesV a yfluid valve |65 which in turn sets a fluid motor |66 in operation. lIfhrou'gh a system4 of pulleysv |61, |68, |69 and |10` a. shaft |1| is yrotated upon .which isa beveled gear.j |12-` meshing withy "the .beveled .gear |39. This causes rotation of -the plate Y |31.. vwhich in turn Veffects rotationV of. the slides. |42 and rollers |60.. about the. aXis. of the plunger 149, During this. rotationeachoifthe rollers v|60 rotates upon its ovvnmaxisanll proceeds in;v ironing out dents,

depressions. vand indentations in the .flange I |35.v

|53 is released. While the treadle |53 is released the spring |55 tends to return the level |52 to initial position and does retract the rollers, but the detent keeps the fluid motor running, and when detent arrives at the recess I 58 of the plate |31 it will slide into the recess and the further lift of the lever |52 and rod |63 causes the fluid valve |65 to shut oi the iiuid motor in the original position namely at the parting line of the clamps. During all of this operation the clamps 22 and 23 remain tight holding the can nonrotatably in position in the machine.

It will be apparent from the mechanisms described that the straightening head may be operated in the can either before or after operation of the straightening rollers upon the ange |35. The rollers may also assist in locating the can upon the mounting prior to forcing the clamps into their position gripping the can. v'Both straightening operations take place while the can remains in one position on the machine. Both straightening operations may be carefully controlled, and the manipulation of the straightening head is subject at all times to careful manual adjustment by which means the operation may be accommodated to the condition of the can whether it be badly dented with many deep indentations or only lightly dented.

The speed of straightening the can will be iniluenced by the condition of the can itself and may be speeded up by the operator just as fast as is necessary in order to quickly and effectively complete the job. At the completion of the straightening operation the straightening elements are in a position ready for quick release and withdrawal from contact with the can so that the can may be immediately removed and the machine is at the same time immediately ready for the reception of the next can.

On occasions where the machine is to be used for cans of different stock sizes the bolt 85 may v.be withdrawn permitting the entire straightening head to be removed from the shafts 56 and 51 making way for a straightening head of similar construction but of smaller dimension. The same clamps 22 and 23 may be used with suitable shims or new clamps of smaller diameter replaced in the machine if a long run is to be made on cans of smaller sizes.

'Ihe machine is direct in its operation, makes economical use of both electrical and hydraulic power and is at the same time -sufciently subject to manipulation by a single operator so that the operations can be adjusted to the condition ofthe work and the operation performed at all times readily, quickly and effectively.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom r member.

10 tact with the rounded wall when the straightening member is expanded, a vertically movable head stock supporting said straightening member above the clamp, and vertically disposed operators supporting the straightening member on the head stock having separate relatively movable points of attachment to the straighten- .ing member and having vertical movement rela-A tive to each other, one of said operators having a xed vertical engagement with the head stock and the other being vertically movable with respect thereto, said head stock being adapted to lower the straightening member by means of'said operators to an expanded condition and to lift the straightening member to a removed collapsed condition, land meansl adapted to effect relative rotation between the can and the straightening panded, a second roller means having an obliquely disposed expanded position adapted: to engage the upper wall, a vertically movable `head stock supporting said straightening member above the clamp, and vertically disposed operators supporting the straightening Amember'on the head stock having separate relatively movable points of attachment to the straightening member and having vertical movement relative to each other, one of said operators having-a xed vertical engagement with the head stock and the other being vertically movable with respect thereto, said head stock being adapted to lower the straightening member by means of said operators to an expanded condition and to lift the straightening member to a removed collapsed condition, and means adapted to effect relative rotation between the can and the straightening member.

v3. A straightening machine for narrow necked cans having a cylindrical lower wall and a rounded top wall comprising a bed frame having thereon a mounting adaptedto receive the bottom of the can, a horizontally moving clamp adapted to enclose the cylindrical lower Wall throughout the within the scope of the invention, which is vnot to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to. be accorded the full scope of the claimsso as to embrace any and all equivalent structures.

The invention having been herein described, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. A straightening machine for open top cans vvhaving a rounded wall comprising a bed frame having thereon a clamp adapted to secure the can on the frame, an expansible straightening vmember adapted to be inserted inside the can having a collapsed condition smaller than the open top of the can, said member. comprising .roller means having a position of potential conperimeter thereof and power means for holding said clamp in place, an expansible straightening head adapted for insertion inside the can having a collapsed condition smaller than the neck'oi the can comprising roller means having a vertical position of .potential contact with the cylindrical lower Wall when the straightening head is expanded, a second roller means having a longitudinally curved perimeter and an obliquely disposed expanded position adapted when liftedto engage the rounded top wall, power means including a head stock supporting said straightening head above the mountingl vertically disposed operators supporting the straightening head on the head stock having separate relatively movable points of attachment to the straightening head and having vertical movement relative to each other, one of said operators having a I'lxed vertical engagement with the head stock and the 4 third bushing,

11 straightening-f head -byJ means-of l said Loperators 'to anj expandedcondition and to lift the straightening head to "a removed collapsed condition, 'auxiliary `manually operative Ameans associated Vwith"tlfie' straightening head adapted to lcontrol 'therdegree of expansion;` and' means adapted to causal-rotation of the v1head-=relatve to the-can.l

4,- A straightening: machine -for open. top. cans fcomprisingfa base, a lclamping support forthe canfandfa head stock Aon 'thebase,V a straightening Vmember onthe" head -stock mounted above the Aclan'fpingesupport, means `for raising and lowering ,isaidrl .head stock fandv means ufor lrotating the -straightening: imember, esaid :straightening memberfscomprising; :an :external -tubular .shaft -attached 11o-said -head;stock, anv internal shaft slidrablyrmounted therein, a nrst'fbushingzonv said 'externa] shaft, a second bushing movableslidably irelativetothe internal shaft-and 1a third bushing xedeuponi the internal shaft, arms having-ends pirotallyfconnectedto said first andsecond bushiingsrespectivelvythe free ends-of said arms-being pivotally attached-ene setto -another and,v athird :armpivotally secured-tothe third bushing, crossfheadsf pivotally..` attached y'independently vto the rends. of fthev arms remoteifromthe bushings andto fthe farm adjacentzthe, first bushing, ,and rollers betweenfthe cross-heads,said external shaft'and said-internalshaft-.having 'relative endwisey move- ;mentzadapted-,to expand andretract -thepositions off-saidrrol-lers.K4 f

5. 5A -straighteningmachine for 4open v,top .cans -compnising-a'baseaa clamping supportj for ia can, a-head'tockeon the'base above the-clamping support; aj straighteningA member.n on the head stock -fmonntedabove @the clamping support, means for :raising and loweringtf Said head'.- ,stocln ,A -said straightening member comprisingy an external 'tubular Vshaft g attached .-.t'o `the head stock, an inzilerrial shaft extendible slidablyA therethrough, a -rst;'bushifng-.5ecuredto saidexternal shaft, a secfgond bushing movable ;sli dably -pn ,Y ,the `internal shaft on ,onefsidelof thefrst bushingr `and., a third ibushng. Axcd V upon theA internalshaft on the side of said second. bushingl remote from v.the rst flmlshing;arms.pivotally` connectedfto said first and second bushings respectively, the freeends of said-arms being,l I )ivotallyattached -one setto ,an-

, otlier;V andra fthirdarm-pivotally secured to .the

cross-heads pivotallyiattached independently:- to ends of ,the arms. ,remotel from ,theabushinga ,other .crosseheads attached .to `the uppermost larms adjacent: the .first -bushllrlgi. and rollers vbetween ,thej V4cross-heads, said external shaft/,andsaid internalshafthavingrrelatre end- ,wise movementadanted to 4expand andretractthe positions Aof vsaid rollers, and. manually operative 'means' connected between said ,shafts adapted to modifytheposition of expansion.

6.'A Straightening machine for an open top Acan comprising` a base, a clamping support'forl the can onthebase anda head-stockon the base mounted ,abolie Athel clamping" support, ",a' straightening member onthehead stock, means'for raisingand "lowering sai'd 'head-5 stoclr means for rotating -fthe straightening 1member; vsaid straightening member' comprising :an'vexternal tubular shaft,A an v:internal `shaft :extendingslidably through-the ex- ;ternal shaft, -a first bush1ng-secured-- to said ex- ",ternalshaft,;a second bushing -slidably mounted- `onthe internal shaft and keyedfthereto, and a Y third; bushing` fixed uponv the -lower end of Vsaid vinternal shaft so thatthe-second bushing is located between dthei'irstfand third l bushings, said 5 bushings beingA in Vspaced-longitudinal relationship fin -collaps,ed'-position-,v sets o f parallel-arms ApivotallyA connected to said rst and secondfbushings respectivelwanda set kof parallel armspivotally connected tothev'thirdfbushing, freevends'o'f Lsaid first two'sets of arms being pivota1lycon nected one setto another, cross-headsattache'd independently to thef'respective upper ends ofthe rst two sets of varmsvand to thel-free ends of said armson the-thirdbushing, sets-of rollersbetween Icross-headscnopposite ends of the `first-set of arms and betweencross-heads lon--the ends of the sets of arms on-=thel-second and-third bushings. said "internal shaft-andy saidexternal shaft having relative endwisemovement adaptedito'expand andy collapse-fthe'--positionsofsaidrol-1ers,l and manually operative means connected between said vexternal shaft --and 'said internal shaft adapted to modvify--thefposition of expansion '7. A straightening'machinefor an-opeh1top th'efcanand; head-stock onfthefbasef-a straighteningl head on ,the head-'stock mounted f above rthe clamping support,- `and i means for raisingf and loweringsaid head stock,said 'straighteninghead comprising'` an lexternalf tubular shaft, l1an Iinternal shaft keyed to thefflrst'sha'ft 'and Aextending slid- `ablytherethrough and rotatinglmeans on :the

shaft so that :the second :bushing `is located." between the-l-rst and third bushings, arms-pivotally connected Ito .said first andA secondn :bushings frespectively, free ends fof lsaidarms beingpvotally attached Vone setfto another andv Zai thirdfarm'fpivotally 'secured fto the 'thirdbushingyl-cross-heads pivotally attached independently: to :they vends '.o the arms remoteffromfthe" bushings and-y crossheads attached to thefarmfjoining -thefrst'-bushing-at the ends of said lastfarms'adjacentntheirst bushing, -and r rollers between the crosseheads, said external shaft and sai'd `internalshafthaving relative endWise @movement-adapted to: expand and retract the: arms-and thegcorrespondingsposi.-

tions" of said 1rollersv andV manually A'operative means 'comprising a crank Aonthe`` head. stockya sleeve on the headstochlrotatablyreceiving ysaid internal shaft and connecting means-,betweenathe crank and-the sleeve" adaptedr to raise'iandllower the sleeve wherebytomodif-y thepositionofxexpansion of said-straightening head.

8. A straightening-'machine for open top cans y comprising a base,A a clamping-support' forfthe can and a head stock on the basea straightening member on the head stock Amounted above the clamping support, means for raising andf lowering -said hea'd stock and means Aforrotating the straightening member, saidV straightening member comprising vany external -tubular shaft attached to said head stock, an internal shaft extending slidably through fthe* external shaft," a inst-bushing secured.- to said external shaft, `a second bushing .movable slidably relative .on the internal shaft and a third bushing :,xed -upon the internal shaft, arms pivotallyconnectedxto said -first and lsecond, .bushings irespectively, free ends of said `varms being 'pivotally attached; one

tached independentlyto ;the;ends .of vthe 'armszre- `mote, fromthejbushin'gs, and crossffheads att-ached to thegarms joining the'rst4 bushing. at y.therends ofsaiddast arms adJacent-.the-(irst bnshingsnand Irollers between the cross-heads, said external shaft and said internal shaft having relative endwise movement adapted to expand and retract the positions of said arms and the corresponding positions of said rollers, and shims on the external shaft between the second and third bushings adapted to limit the extent of expansion of the straightening member.

9. A straightening machine for an open end can having a cylindrical wall at one end and a curved wall at the' other end comprising an expandable head adapted for insertion in collapsed position into the open end of the can, said head comprising a link assembly including links pivotally interconnected at adjacent ends and a pair of relatively movable shafts attached respectively to the links at ends thereof remote from said adjacent ends thereto, movement of said shafts one relative to the other being adapted to move the link assembly to a collapsed position and to potential expanded positions at the inside perimeter of said walls, and rollers comprising portions of said link assembly adapted respectively to contact the respective Walls in expanded position, one of said rollers comprising a shaft and a series of cylindrical Walled discs of equal diameter independently rotatable on the shaft and another of said rollers comprising a shaft and a series of discs independently rotatable on the shaft, the outer walls of said last discs having curved contours aligned each with the contour of the next adjacent disc.

10. A straightening machine for an open end can having a curved wall comprising an expandable head adapted for insertion in collapsed position into the open end of the can, said head comprising pivotally interconnected links and a pair of relatively movable shafts attached respectively to ends of the links remote from the pivotal interconnection adapted to move the links to collapsed and expanded positions, and rollers having shafts connected between ends of said links at locations remote from the relatively movable shafts, said rollers being adapted to contact the wall in expanded position, said rollers comprising a series of cylindrical walled discs of equal diameter independently rotatable on the shafts.

11. A straightening machine for an open end can having a longitudinally curved and transversely rounded wall comprising an expandable head adapted for insertion in collapsed position into the open end of the can, said head comprising pivotally interconnected links and a pair of relatively movable shafts attached respectively to ends of the links remote from the pivotal interconnection adapted to move the links to collapsed and expanded positions, and rollers having shafts connected between ends of said links at locations remote from the relatively movable shafts, said rollers being `adapted to assume a pressure contact with the wall in expanded position, said rollers comprising a shaft and a series of discs independently rotatable on the shaft, the outer walls of said last discs having longitudinally curved contours aligned each with the lcontour of the next adjacent disc.

12. A straightening machine for an open end can having a cylindrical lower wall and a curved upper wall comprising an expandable head adapted for insertion in collapsed position into the open end of the can, said head comprising pivotally interconnected links and a pair of relatively movable shafts attached respectively to ends of the links remote from the pivotal interconnection adapted to move the links to collapsed and expanded positions, and rollers having shafts interconnected between ends of said links at locations remote from the relatively movable shafts, said rollers being adapted to assume a pressure contact respectively with the lower and upper walls when in expanded position, the lower of said rollers comprising a series of cylindrical walled discs of equal diameter independently rotatable on the respective shaft and at least one intermediate disc of lesser diameter, the

upper of said rollers comprising a series of dis-cs independently rotatable on the respective shaft, the outer walls of said last discs having longitudinally curved contours aligned each with the contour of the next adjacent disc, the contour of the lowermost disc being in alignment with the K next adjacent disc of the nearest lower roller.

JOHN L. RICKHOFF. EDWARD A. RICKHOFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

